System, device and method for capturing an image of multiple views of an object

ABSTRACT

A device for capturing at least three views of an object with a camera includes a housing having a cavity. A slot in the housing communicates with the cavity and is adapted to accept an object. A plurality of mirrors in the cavity reflects at least three views of the object towards the camera, allowing the camera to capture an image of the views. A system for capturing multiple views of an object includes a housing having a cavity. A slot in the housing communicates with the cavity and is adapted to receive an object. A camera, a light source, and a plurality of mirrors in the cavity reflect at least three views of the object towards the camera, allowing the camera to capture an image three views.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to capturing an image of multiple viewsof an object, and more specifically, capturing an image of multipleviews of an object in order to produce a copy of the object.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Generally, in order to make a copy of an object, such as a key, a usermust physically possess the key and transport the key to a locationhaving a device which is operable to reproduce the key. Alternatively,there are devices in the prior art which allow a user to impress theshape and configuration of the key in order to create a mold. The moldis then used to reproduce the key. These devices, however, may beunreliable and may not be feasible where the shape and configuration ofseveral keys must be acquired quickly and in a covert manner. Similarly,in those situations, it may be infeasible to remove a key, of which acopy is desired, from its home environment, for various reasons.Therefore, there is a need in the art for a system which allows a userto acquire the shape and configuration of a key quickly, for thepurposes of copying the key, without transporting the key from its homeenvironment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, a device for capturing at least three views of anobject with a camera is provided and comprises a housing having a cavityand a slot in the housing communicating with the cavity and adapted toaccept an object. There is a plurality of mirrors in the cavityconfigured to reflect at least three views of the object towards thecamera, thereby allowing the camera to capture an image of the at leastthree views. In one embodiment, the device is configured to be portableand hand-held.

In another embodiment, a device for capturing a plurality of views of anobject with a camera is provided and comprises a housing having a cavityand a plurality of mirrors in the cavity configured to reflect aplurality of views of the object towards the camera, thereby allowingthe camera to capture an image of the plurality of views. The devicefurther comprises a slot in the housing communicating with the cavityand adapted to accept an object, wherein the housing comprises anadjustable portion to stabilize the object when at least part of theobject is directed into the slot.

In another embodiment, a system for capturing multiple views of anobject is provided and comprises a housing having a cavity and a slot inthe housing communicating with the cavity and adapted to receive anobject. The system further includes a camera, a light source, and aplurality of mirrors in the cavity configured to reflect at least threeviews of the object towards the camera, thereby allowing the camera tocapture an image of the at least three views.

In another embodiment, a system for capturing multiple views of anobject is provided and comprises a housing having a cavity and a slot inthe housing communicating with the cavity and adapted to receive anobject. The system further comprises an adjustable portion to stabilizethe object when the object is directed into the slot. The system furthercomprises a camera, a light source, and a plurality of mirrors in thehousing configured to reflect a plurality of views of the object towardsthe camera, thereby allowing the camera to capture an image of theplurality of views.

A method of capturing multiple views of an object using a housing isprovided. The housing comprises a cavity, the cavity including aplurality of mirrors therein. The method comprises receiving at least aportion of the object into the cavity. The method further comprisesreflecting an image with the plurality of mirrors towards a cameracommunicating with the cavity, the image comprising at least three viewsof the object, and capturing the image with the camera.

Another method of capturing multiple views of an object using a housingis provided. The housing comprises a cavity, the cavity including aplurality of mirrors therein. The method comprises receiving at least aportion of the object into a slot communicating with the cavity, whereina portion of a slot is adjustable to stabilize the object in the slot.The method further comprises reflecting an image towards a camera withthe plurality of mirrors, the image comprising a plurality of views ofthe object. The method further comprises capturing the image with thecamera.

A method of reproducing a key using a camera phone is provided andcomprises capturing an image of a plurality of views of the key andtransforming the image into data representing the image using softwarein the camera phone. The method further comprises sending the data tofirst and second machining devices. The method further comprisesmachining a key blank corresponding with the key using the firstmachining device, and machining the key blank with the secondmanufacturing device to reproduce a copy of the key.

A system for reproducing a key is provided and comprises a housinghaving a cavity and a slot in the housing communicating with the cavityand adapted to receive at least a portion of the key. The system furthercomprises a plurality of mirrors in the cavity configured to reflect aplurality of views of the object towards an aperture in the housing. Thesystem further includes a camera phone, which further comprises a cameracommunicating with the aperture operative to capture an image of theplurality of views, a storage device operative to store the imagecaptured by the camera, and software communicating with storage deviceand adapted to transform the image into data representing the image. Thesystem further comprises a first key manufacturing device communicatingwith the camera phone to receive the data, the data useable by the firstkey manufacturing device to produce a key blank. The system furthercomprises a second key manufacturing device communicating the cameraphone to receive the data, the data useable by the second keymanufacturing device to produce a copy of the key from the key blank.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a system forcapturing multiple views of an object.

FIG. 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1showing components in more detail.

FIG. 3A shows a cross-sectional view of a device of the system of FIG. 1along line 3-3 of FIG. 1 showing the slot in the open position.

FIG. 3B shows a cross-sectional view of a device of the system of FIG. 1along line 3-3 of FIG. 1 showing the slot in the closed position.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the configuration of the mirrors ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 5 shows a representation of the views of a key reflected by themirrors as configured in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a systemfor capturing multiple views of an object.

FIG. 7 shows an exploded perspective view the embodiment of FIG. 6showing internal components.

FIG. 8A shows a cross-sectional view of a device of the system of FIG. 6along line 8-8 of FIG. 6 showing the slot in the open position.

FIG. 8B shows a cross-sectional view of the device of the system of FIG.6 along line 8-8 of FIG. 6 showing the slot in the closed position.

FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of adevice which is configured to reflect five views of an object.

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of asystem capturing multiple views of an object.

FIG. 11 shows an exploded perspective view of the system of FIG. 10showing internal components.

FIG. 12 shows a side cross-sectional view of the system of FIG. 10 alongline 12-12 of FIG. 10.

FIG. 13A shows a top cross-sectional view of the system of FIG. 10 alongline 13-13 of FIG. 12, showing the slot in the open position.

FIG. 13B shows a top cross-sectional view of the system of FIG. 10 alongline 13-13 of FIG. 12, showing the slot in the closed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

As shown in FIG. 1, the system 8 for capturing multiple views of anobject includes a device 10 comprising a housing 12. The housing 12includes retention members 14 a, 14 b, 14 c adapted to couple a cameraadjacent the housing 12. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, theretention members 14 a, 14 b, 14 c are adjustable to align a lens 17(FIG. 3B) of a camera phone with an aperture 18 (FIG. 2) in the housing12. Retention members 14 a, 14 b, 14 c allow for the housing 12 toaccept a wide range of cameras and camera phones 16 to be used with thedevice. The system further comprises a camera. In the embodiment shownin FIG. 1, the camera comprises a camera phone 16. However, in otherembodiments, the camera may be a stand-alone camera well known in theart. The device 10 includes a slot 20 in the housing 12. The slot 20communicates with the cavity 22 (FIGS. 3A-B) and is adapted to receivean object. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the object received by theslot 20 is a key 24. In other embodiments, however, the object maycomprise other objects where copying an image thereof is beneficial,such as a credit card.

Retention member 14 a includes two male members 26 a, 26 b which areslidably received within corresponding female portions 30 a, 30 b in thehousing 12. Retention member 14 a is moveable in the direction of arrow28 in order to secure a camera relative to the housing 12. Similarly,retention member 14 b includes a male member 32 which is slidablyreceivable into a female portion 34 of the housing 12 in the directionof arrow 36 in order to secure a camera relative to the housing 12.Still similarly, retention member 14 c includes a male member 37 whichis slidably receivable into another female portion 35 of the housing 12in the direction of arrow 43 in order to secure a camera relative to thehousing 12. The positions of the male members 26 a, 26 b, 32, 37 of theretention members 14 a, 14 b, 14 c within the female portions 30, 34, 35of the housing 12 depends on the size of the camera or camera phonebeing secured relative to the housing 12. Spring 27 couples with thehousing 12 and biases retention member 14 a towards the housing 12.Retention members 14 a, 14 b include pads 38 thereon in order to provideadditional frictional securement to the housing 12, and to preventdamage, such as scratching, to the camera from the retention members 14a, 14 b. In the embodiment shown, retention member 14 b is able to besecured in place using a fastener 40.

The housing 12 includes an aperture 18 in communication with the cavity22 (FIGS. 3A-3B). The lens of the camera may be aligned with theaperture 18 to allow the lens 17 of the camera phone 16 to communicatewith the cavity 22, thereby enabling the lens 17 to capture an image ofthe contents of at least a portion of the cavity 22. The housing 12further includes a plurality of mirrors 42 a, 42 b, 42 c, 42 d (FIGS.3A-B) in the cavity 22 configured to reflect at least three views of theobject towards the camera, thereby allowing the camera to capture animage of the at least three views.

The housing 12 further includes a slot 20 in communication with thecavity 22. As discussed in further detail hereinbelow, the slot 20 maybe adjustable for accepting a variety of sizes of objects therein, suchas keys 24. The adjustability of the slot 20 may also be provided tosecure the objects, such as a key 24, within the slot 20 during use ofthe system.

With reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the device includes a housing 12having a top, a bottom, and two side portions 44, 46, 48 and 50. The topportion 44 includes an aperture 18 communicating with a cavity 22 withinthe housing 12. The aperture 18 includes a generally cylindrical portion52 and a generally frustroconical portion 54. The generallyfrustroconical portion 54 includes a first end 56 and a second end 58,where the diameter of the second end 58 is greater than the first end56. The frustroconical portion 54 allows for a greater viewing anglewithin the cavity 22 of the camera aligned with the aperture 18.

A slot 20 communicates with the cavity 22. Objects such as keys 24 arereceived into the slot 20 and thereby also the cavity 22. The slot 20may be defined as an opening between first and second plates 60, 62. Inone embodiment, the first and second plates 60, 62 are glass and includea coating (not shown) in order to provide for ideal lightingcharacteristics within the housing 12 for camera use. In the embodimentshown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the first plate 60 is mounted in an adjustableportion 64, which is adjustable in a vertical direction relative to thehousing 12. The adjustable portion 64 is moveable between a first, openposition (FIG. 3A) and a second, closed position (FIG. 3B). The secondplate 62 is fixedly mounted within the housing 12 such that theadjustable portion 64, and thus the first plate 60, is moveable relativeto the second plate 62. To move the adjustable portion 64 between thefirst and second positions, an adjustment lever 66 is provided. Theadjustment lever 66 pivots about a member 68 fixed to the housing 12.The rotation of adjustment lever 66 is limited on one side by theinteraction of a lateral portion 70 of the lever 66 with a wall 72 ofthe second side portion 50 of the housing 12. The rotation of adjustmentlever 66 is further limited by the arm 74 of the lever 66 interactingwith the bottom portion 46 of the housing 12. Adjustment lever 66includes a flat portion 78 that interacts with a projection 80 of theadjustable portion 64. Further contributing to the upward and downwardmovement of the adjustable portion 64 is the compression spring 82,which is situated in bore 83 and biased in a downward direction. Theremay be a second compression spring (not shown) performing the same orsimilar function. As shown in FIG. 3A, when the adjustment lever 66 isin the first position, the projection 80 of the adjustable portion 64,and thus the entire adjustable portion 64, is unable to move in adownward direction, due to the projection 80 interacting with the flatsection 78. As shown in FIG. 3B, the adjustment lever 66 is in thesecond position and the movement and/or rotation of the flat section 78is followed by the projection 80 such that the projection 80 movesdownward therewith. The downward movement of the projection 80 and thusthe adjustable portion 64 is also due to the downward spring bias fromthe compression spring 82. The adjustable portion 64 includes adovetailed member 84 which is slidably received into a dovetailed slot85 in the wall of the housing 12. The interaction between the dovetailedmember 84 and the dovetailed slot 85 (shown in phantom in FIG. 4; FIG.7) provides the adjustable portion 64 one degree of freedom in thevertical direction. In alternative embodiments, however, the adjustableportion 64 may be movably mounted in a manner which allows for movementthereof in the horizontal direction, or, alternatively, in two or moredegrees of freedom.

When the adjustment lever 66 is in the second position and theadjustable portion 64 is in the closed position, the height of slot 20is thereby decreased. The object, such as a key 24, in the slot 20 maybe thereby fixed in the slot 20, depending on the size of the key 24.Depending on the size of the object, such as a key 24, inserted into theslot 20, the adjustment lever 66 may not be moved fully to the secondposition. For example, if the height of the object is larger than theheight of the slot 20 when the adjustable portion 64 is in the closedposition, moving the lever 66 to the second position may damage theobject and/or the internal components of the system. For example, thefirst and second plates 60, 62 may comprise glass. Therefore, attemptingto move the first plate 60 in a downward direction while it is alreadycontacting the object in the slot 20 may lead to the first and/or secondplates 60, 62 breaking or shattering. Because of this potential issue,the pivot member and adjustment lever 66 may be configured to resist thedownward bias due to the compression spring 82 to prevent unwanteddownward movement.

Also shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B are a plurality of mirrors 42 a, 42 b, 42c, 42 d in the cavity 22 configured to reflect at least three views ofthe key 24 towards a camera having a lens 17 in alignment with theaperture 18. More specifically, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3A and3B, there are four mirrors 42 a, 42 b, 42 c, 42 d in the housing 12reflecting images of views a key 24. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3Aand 3B, the object is a key 24, but may be another object such as acredit card. Main mirror 42 a reflects an image of the top of the key 24to the aperture 18. Mirror 42 b, which is embedded as a part of theadjustable portion 64, reflects an image of a first side 86 of the key24 to the main mirror 42 a. Mirror 42 c reflects a second side view 88of the key 24 to main mirror 42 a. Mirror 42 d reflects an end view 92of the key 24 to main mirror 42 a. Main mirror 42 a thereby, in effect,re-reflects the images reflected to it from mirrors 42 b, 42 c and 42 d.The mirrors 42 a, 42 b, 42 c, 42 d are configured such that the camerawill be able to capture each view reflected therefrom. That is, mirrors42 b, 42 c and 42 d are configured to reflect an image to mirror 42 asuch that the reflected images do not intersect or interfere with oneanother. The configuration of the mirrors 42 a, 42 b, 42 c, 42 d isshown in FIG. 4. Moreover, mirrors 42 a, 42 b, 42 c, 42 d may be firstsurface mirrors configured to prevent ghosting of the image within thehousing 12. Moreover, in at least one embodiment, all or some of theinternal components may be white in order to prevent interference withthe captured image.

It is appreciated that the views described above depend on theorientation of the object, such as a key 24, inserted into the slot 20.For example, if the key 24 were inserted into the slot 20 in an oppositemanner as shown in FIG. 9 such that the bottom of the key 24 was facingdownwardly, different views of the key 24 may be reflected by differentmirrors. Moreover, as used herein, terms such end, first and secondside, and top and bottom are used to describe the views of an object ora key 24. The disclosure herein is not, however, limited to the chosenreference frame and descriptive terms, as the device 10 may beconfigured to reflect and capture other views of an object or a key 24.

A representation of the full image ultimately reflected from theembodiment in FIGS. 3A and 3B to the aperture 18 and thus captured bythe camera is shown in FIG. 5. As discussed above, the reflected imageincludes first and second side views 86, 88, a top view 90 and an endview 92 of the key 24. The image of the key 24 is then converted bysoftware, for example, into data readable by one or more keymanufacturing devices (not shown). Preferably, the data is sent to afirst key manufacturing device, which uses the data to produce a keyblank. Then, a second manufacturing device (not shown) uses the data toproduce a copy of the key 24 from the key blank. In an alternativeembodiment, however, there may be one key manufacturing device using thedata to produce a copy of the key 24, rather than first and second keymanufacturing devices as disclosed above.

An alternative embodiment of the device 10 of the system 8 is shown inFIGS. 6, 7, 8A and 8B. Much of the structure and function of the device10 is identical or substantially similar to the embodiment shown inFIGS. 1, 2 3A, 3B and 4. The identical or substantially similarcomponents have been marked with the same reference numbers withoutfurther discussion below, particularly regarding the functionality ofthe mirrors 42 a, 42 b, 42 c, 42 d and the movement of the slot 20 toand from the open and closed positions. The device 10 includes a housing112 having upper and lower portions 114, 116. The upper portion 114includes a recessed portion 118 which is adapted to accept a cameraphone 16 (shown in phantom) or other device. The recessed portion 118further includes a space 119 which may provide a manner for the user toremove the camera phone 16 or other device. “Camera phone,” as usedherein, may be used to describe a phone which includes a camera, such asa smartphone. “Camera phone” may also be used to refer to portable mediaplayers which include cameras and may be adapted for connection to theinternet, such as an iPod Touch made by Apple Inc. The upper portion 114includes a plurality of apertures 120 which accept fasteners (not shown)which are adapted to fix the upper portion 114 relative to the lowerportion 116. The upper portion 114 also includes an aperture 122 whichallows the lens (not shown) of the camera phone 16 to communicate with acavity 22 inside of the housing 112. The lower portion 116 includes aslot 20 to accept an object such as a key 24, which is described in moredetail below. The slot 20 is adjustable by the lever 66, which isrotatable about point 68.

Referring to FIG. 7, internal to the upper and lower portions 114, 116are the mirror casing 124 and the adjustable portion 64, which alsoincludes mirrors 42 a, 42 b, 42 c and 42 d. As described below, aportion of the mirror casing 124 and the adjustable portion 64 comprisethe slot 20. The adjustable portion 64 includes two bores 83 foraccepting springs 82 (FIGS. 8A and 8B) which resiliently bias theadjustable portion 64 in the downward direction. The adjustable portion64 includes a side wall 129 having a dovetailed member 84 whichinteracts with the dovetailed slot 85 in the upper and lower portions114, 116 of the housing 112 (not shown in upper portion 114) in order toprevent the movement thereof in the horizontal direction.

On the side of the adjustable portion 64 opposing the dovetailed member84, there is a generally rectangular aperture 128 in opposing side wall130 which allows mirror 42 b to communicate with mirror 42 a. Mirror 42b is situated transversely to the top face 126 and side wall 129 of themirror casing 124 and is fixed above the aperture 129 above the firstplate 60. The adjustable portion 64 includes a projection 80 whichinteracts with the lever 66 in order to move the adjustable portion 64.

The device 10 further includes a mirror casing 124 configured to beplaced inside of the housing 112 between the upper and lower portions114, 116. The top face 132 of the mirror casing 124 includes an aperture134 which may be situated concentrically with respect to the aperture122 in the upper portion 114 of the housing 112 in order for the lens(not shown) of the camera phone 16 to be in communication with thecavity 22 (best shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B).

The mirror casing 124 includes mirrors 42 a, 42 c and 42 d fixedthereon. More specifically, mirror 42 a is fixed to support surface 136in a mechanical manner, such as by an adhesive. Second plate 62 andmirror 42 c are fixed to the mirror housing 112 by a holding member 138,which includes a plurality of flanges 140 enveloping a portion of thesecond plate 62 and mirror 42 c. The second plate 62 may be essentiallysandwiched between the support surface 136 and the holding member 138.Similarly, mirror 42 c may be sandwiched between the holding member 138and the bottom portion of the mirror casing 124. Mirror 42 d may be fitbetween two retention members 142 in the mirror casing 124, therebyfixing mirror 42 d within the mirror casing 124.

Inside of the lower portion 116 of the housing 112 there is a pluralityof support beams 144 which support the angled surface 146 of the mirrorcasing 124 when the mirror casing 124 is directed into the lower portion116. Inside of the housing 112 is a battery housing 148 which isconfigured to accept one or more batteries for powering circuit board151, which includes at least one illumination device (not shown), suchas an electroluminous film or a plurality of light emitting diodes. Theillumination device, however, is not limited to electroluminous film orLEDs and may be another type of device known to persons skilled in theart. There is a pair of supports 152 configured to receive the circuitboard and illumination device. There may be diffusion film (not shown)in the slot 154. The diffusion film may be provided to reduce hot spots,shadows, and control glare from the circuit board mounted illuminationdevices to obtain the best view of the captured image.

Another alternative embodiment is shown in FIG. 9. The device 210includes a housing 212 (shown in hidden lines) having a cavity 216therein and an aperture 214 in communication with the cavity 216. A lensof a camera (not shown) may be aligned with the aperture 214 to allowthe lens of the camera to communicate with the cavity 22, therebyenabling the lens to capture an image of the contents of at least aportion of the cavity 22. The device further includes a slot 218 foraccepting a key 24 or other object. In the embodiment shown, the slot218 may be between first and second plates 219 a, 219 b. As in otherdisclosed embodiments, the slot 218 may be adjustable to accept varyingsizes of keys 24 and to secure the key 24 once directed therein. Thehousing 212 further includes a plurality of mirrors 220 a, 220 b, 220 c,220 d, 220 e in the cavity 22 configured to reflect five views of thekey 24 towards the camera, thereby allowing the camera to capture animage of the five views of the key 24. When at least part of the key 24is directed into the slot 218, the mirrors 220 a, 220 b, 220 c, 220 d,220 e are configured to reflect five views of the key 24 to the apertureand thus, the camera lens.

With the key 24 inserted in the configuration as shown in FIG. 9, mirror220 a reflects an image of the end view of the key to the aperture.Mirror 220 b reflects the top view of the key to mirror 220 c, whichreflects the top view image to mirror 220 a. Mirror 220 c reflects animage of the first side view 86 to mirror 220 a. Mirror 220 d reflectsthe bottom view of the key to mirror 220 c, which then reflects thebottom view to mirror 220 a. Mirror 220 e reflects the second side viewto mirror 220 a. Main mirror 220 a then, in effect, re-reflects each ofthe views reflected to it from mirrors 220 b, 220 c, 220 d, 220 e,towards the aperture 214, and thus the camera lens (not shown). Themirrors 220 a, 220 b, 220 c, 220 d, 220 e are configured such that thecamera will be able to capture each view reflected from the mirrors 220a, 220 b, 220 c, 220 d, 220 e. More specifically, mirrors 220 b, 220 c,220 d, 220 e are configured to reflect each view to mirror 220 a suchthat the reflected images do not intersect or interfere with oneanother. Thus, the camera can capture one image comprising the viewsdisclosed above. Preferably, mirrors 220 a, 220 b, 220 c, 220 d, 220 eare first surface mirrors configured to prevent ghosting of the imagewithin the housing.

FIGS. 10, 11, 12, 13A and 13B show an alternative embodiment of a system300 for capturing multiple views of an object, such as a key 24. In thisembodiment, the system 300 includes housing 302, which is of a generallyrectangular shape having front and rear walls 304 a, 304 b, side walls306 a, 306 b, and top and bottom walls 308 a, 308 b fixed together byfasteners 310 (FIG. 12) such as screws, with a cavity 303 defined byeach of the walls 304 a, 304 b, 306 a, 306 b, 308 a, 308 b. The housing302 includes a slot 312 configured to accept objects, such as keys. Thehousing 302 includes a slot 312 which is adapted to accept a portion ofthe key 24. The key 24 may be directed into the slot 312 when the slot312 is moved to and from a closed position (FIG. 3B) and an openposition (FIG. 3A), as described in more detail hereinbelow. To thisend, the slot 312 includes a stationary portion 314 and a movableportion 316. In one embodiment, the slot 312 is at least partiallycovered with bristles 318. In one embodiment, the bristles 318 areplastic but may be another material, such as metal, in an alternativeembodiment. The key 24 is secured in the slot 312 when the slot 312 isin the closed position.

The system also includes a camera 320 operably coupled to a circuitboard 322 for capturing images of a plurality of views of an object,such as a key 24, directed into the housing 302, which is discussed inmore detail hereinbelow. The device further includes a storage device(not shown), such as a secure digital (SD) card reader for accepting anSD card for storing photographs, as understood by those skilled in theart. The camera 320 is operably coupled to push button 324 on handle325. More specifically, depression of the push button 324 may operatethe shutter of the camera 320, thereby enabling the camera 320 tocapture an image within the housing 302.

The system also includes a light source in the housing 302. The lightsource may be electroluminous film 326 on the inner side of at least oneof the walls, as shown in FIGS. 10, 11, 12, 13A and 13B. Preferably,there is electroluminous film 326 on the inner sides of the top andbottom walls 308 a, 308 b. There may be supports 327 in order to providesupport for the electroluminous films 326. The rocker switch 328 onhandle 325 is operably coupled to the electroluminous films 326 and isoperable to turn the electroluminous film 326 to and from the “on”position, wherein the film 326 is illuminated. It is appreciated thatthe rocker switch 328 and the push button 324 are only one manner ofoperating the light source and the camera 320. For example, in analternative embodiment, there may be one button controlling both thelight source and the camera 320 essentially simultaneously. Furthermore,in an alternative embodiment, the light source may be a source otherthan electroluminous film 326.

The housing 302 also includes a main slide 330 therein. The rear wall332 of main slide 330 includes a plurality of springs 334 mountedthereon and a plurality of apertures 336 extending therethrough from therear end 332 to the front wall 333. Preferably, springs 334 arecompression springs. The apertures 336 are preferably orientedconcentrically relative to the springs 334. Each aperture 336 receivesone of pins 338 extending through and frontwardly from the rear wall332.

The main slide 330 is coupled to a lever 340 positioned outside of thehousing 302 rearwardly of the rear wall 332 of main slide 330 by anengagement pin 342, which traverses an aperture 344 in the back wall 304and threadably engages a threaded aperture 346 on a rear side of themain slide 330. The head 348 of engagement pin 342 engages the first andsecond edges 350 a, 350 b of the lever slot 352 at a first end 354 ofthe lever 340. In between the first and second ends 354, 356 of thelever 340 is a lever aperture 358. The handle 325 includes opposedmounting tabs 360 for rotatably mounting the lever 340 relative to thehandle 325. Each mounting tab 360 includes concentrically orientedapertures 362. To rotatably mount the lever 340 on the handle 325, thelever aperture 358 is positioned concentrically relative to theapertures 362 of the mounting tabs 360 and the rotation pin 364 isdirected through each of the apertures 362 until abutment 367 contactsthe corresponding mounting tab 360. Clip 366 is then positioned on theend opposite the abutment 367 to prevent the undesired removal of therotation pin 364 from the apertures 362.

The front end 333 of the main slide 330 includes an essentiallytrapezoidal recess 370 having first and second angled portions 372, 374.In between the first and second angled portions 372, 374 is a flatportion 376, which is essentially parallel to the rear end 332 of themain slide 330. The main slide 330 includes a plurality of apertures 378extending from the back end 333 thereof and through to the flat portion376. The apertures 378 each receive threaded rods 379, which threadablyengage with threaded apertures 380 of a back plate 382. Between the backplate 382 and the flat portion 376 is a pair of compression springs 384that, when in the compressed state, bias pins 383 and the back plate 382in the frontward direction.

The main slide 330 includes a plurality of grooves 386 a, 386 b, 386 c.Grooves 386 a, 386 c interact with the pegs 388 a, 388 b extending fromthe angled surface 390 of the secondary slide 392 in order to limit themovement of the main slide 330 in the direction of the front wall 304 a.The secondary slide 392 includes a recess 394 between the pegs 388accepting one end of a spring (not shown). The other end of the springextends to an elongate aperture 398 in the side wall 306 b. A latch pin(not shown) is coupled to the second end of the spring. The latch pininteracts with the elongate aperture 398 and couples the secondary slide392 with the side wall 306 b. Due to the spring, the secondary slide 392is biased towards the side wall 306 b.

The system 300 further includes first and second prisms 402, 404operable to reflect a plurality of views of the key 24 directed into thehousing 302 towards a camera 320 in the housing 302, which is describedin more detail hereinbelow. The first and second prisms 402, 404 in oneembodiment, are more specifically shaped as right-triangular prisms. Thefirst prism 402 is fixed within the housing 302 by a first prism support406.

The first prism support 406 is situated in a recess 410 of the side wall306 a, while the second prism support 408 extends in an upward directionfrom the bottom wall 308 b. The first prism support 406 includes anangled section 412 engaging the hypotenuse edge of the first prism 402and the edge adjacent the first acutely angled corner. The first acutelyangled corner of the first prism 402 is accepted into a rectangularrecess 414 of the first prism support 406. The first and second prismsupports 406, 408 thereby prevent the unwanted movement of the prisms402, 404 relative to the housing 302.

Once directed into the slot 312, the key 24 is essentially enveloped byseveral components within the housing 302. As shown in FIGS. 13A-B, thekey 24 is essentially surrounded by the back plate 382, first prism 402,secondary slide 392, and the pressing plate 416, thereby essentiallydefining an adjustable slot 312 which accepts the key 24 therein. Theslot 312 includes an opening in the top wall 308, covered by a pluralityof bristle wires 318.

More specifically, when the main slide 330 is in the first position, theslot 312 is in the open position (FIG. 13A). When the main slide 330 isin the second position, the slot 312 is in the closed position (FIG.13B). More specifically, the first and second sides of the key 24 areabutted by the pressing plate 416 and the back plate 382, respectively,while the top edge and bottom edge of the key 24 are abutted by thesecondary slide 392 and the first prism 402.

In order to move the main slide 330 from the first position to thesecond position, a user depresses the second end 356 of the lever 340 ina direction generally towards the front of the housing 302. Due to thelever 340 being rotatably coupled at the lever aperture 358, the firstend 354 thereby moves in the direction opposite of the second end 356 ofthe lever 340, or in a direction away from the housing 302. The movementof the first end of the lever 340 carries the engagement pin 342 in thesame direction. Because the engagement pin 342 is coupled to the mainslide 330 as described hereinabove, the movement of engagement pin 342thereby slidably moves the main slide 330 in the same direction. As themain slide 330 moves rearwardly to the second position, pins 338 remainstationary but are received further into the apertures 336 of the mainslide 330. Due to the presence of springs 334 between the main slide 330and the back wall, as the main slide 330 moves closer towards the backwall 304 b, the springs 334 become compressed. The compression of thesprings 334 thereby biases the main slide 330 towards the front wall 304a.

As the main slide 330 moves rearwardly to the second position, thespring 396 biasing the secondary slide 392 towards side wall 306 b urgesthe secondary slide 392 in a direction towards the side wall 306 b. Dueto the interaction of the second angled surface 374 of the main slide330 and the angled surface 390 of the secondary slide 392, and thespring bias on the secondary slide 392 towards side wall 306 b, thesecondary slide 392 rides the main slide 330 in a cam-like fashion.

As the main slide 330 moves from the first position to the secondposition, the back plate 382 also moves in a rearwardly direction. InFIG. 13B, compression springs 384 are compressed and contacting the backplate 382, which in turn contacts the key 24 when the main slide 330 isin the second position. As shown in FIG. 13A, the compression springs384 are extended and back plate 382 is no longer in contact with the key24. More specifically, as the main slide 330 moves rearwardly, the pinhead 331 a of pin 331 in aperture 337 and thus the pin 331 rides alongwith the main slide 330. Springs 384 eventually reach an extended state,and the back plate 382 moves rearwardly with the pin 331.

The frontward movement of the main slide 330 may be limited in severalways. In the second position, the first angled portion 372 of the mainslide 330 may be limited by the hypotenuse portion 418 of the firstprism 402. Similarly, the second angled portion 374 of the main slide330 interacts in a cam-like relationship with the angled portion 390 ofthe secondary slide 392 and reaches a point where the cam-likerelationship no longer allows relative movement therebetween.Furthermore, the pegs 388 a, 388 b on secondary slide 392 may interactand engage with the first and third grooves 386 a, 386 c of the mainslide 330 to prevent further forward movement thereof. Finally, the backplate 382 may limit the frontward movement of the main slide 330,depending on the properties of the springs 384 and the width of the key24 directed into the housing 302.

The system 300 is configured to reflect a plurality of views of the key24 towards the camera 320. More specifically, first prism 402 isconfigured to reflect the top view towards the camera 320. The secondprism 404 is configured to reflect the end view towards the camera 320.The first side view is visible to the camera 320 without being reflectedby a mirror or prism. In order to reflect, and thus capture with thecamera 320, the bottom and second side views, a user may remove the key24 and re-insert the key 24 such that the second side view is visible tothe camera 320 and the bottom view is reflected by the first prism tothe camera 320. The images captured by the camera 320 may then be savedin the data storage device and converted by software, for example, intodata readable by one or more key manufacturing devices for producing acopy of the key, as described hereinabove.

While the present invention has been illustrated by a description ofvarious preferred embodiments and while these embodiments have beendescribed in some detail, it is not the intention of the Applicants torestrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to suchdetail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear tothose skilled in the art. The various features of the invention may beused alone or in any combination depending on the needs and preferencesof the user. This has been a description of the present invention, alongwith the preferred methods of practicing the present invention ascurrently known. However, the invention itself should only be defined bythe appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for capturing at least three views of anobject with a camera, comprising: a housing having a cavity; a slot inthe housing communicating with the cavity and adapted to accept theobject; an aperture in the housing adapted to enable a lens of thecamera to communicate with the cavity; alignment structure on anexterior portion of the housing adapted to align the lens of the camerawith the aperture; and a plurality of mirrors in the cavity configuredto reflect three at least three views of the object towards the camera,thereby allowing the camera to capture a single image of the at leastthree views, which include first and second side views.
 2. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the alignment structure further comprises at least oneretention member adapted to couple the camera adjacent the housing. 3.The device of claim 1, wherein: the object is a key; and the at leastthree views comprise four views further comprising the first side view,the second side view, a top view and an end view.
 4. The device of claim3, further comprising a fifth view, wherein the fifth view is a bottomview.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is configured to beportable and hand-held.
 6. The device of claim 2, wherein the at leastone retention member is adjustable.
 7. The device of claim 1, furthercomprising a light source in the housing.
 8. A device for capturing aplurality of views of an object with a camera, comprising: a housinghaving a cavity; a plurality of mirrors in the cavity configured toreflect the plurality of views of the object towards the camera, therebyallowing the camera to capture a single image of the plurality of views,which include first and second side views; and a slot in the housingcommunicating with the cavity and adapted to accept the object, whereinthe housing comprises an adjustable portion containing at least one ofthe plurality of mirrors and adapted to stabilize the object when atleast part of the object is directed into the slot.
 9. The device ofclaim 8, wherein the adjustable portion is adjustable by a lever inorder to move the slot between a first, open position and a second,closed position.
 10. The device of claim 8, wherein the device isconfigured to be portable and hand-held.
 11. The device of claim 8,wherein the housing further comprises an aperture communicating with thecavity.
 12. The device of claim 8, further comprising a retention memberadapted to couple the camera adjacent the housing.
 13. The device ofclaim 8, wherein: the adjustable portion comprises a first plate ofglass; and the slot is defined in part by the first plate of glass and asecond plate of glass.
 14. The device of claim 8, wherein the object isa key.
 15. The device of claim 9, wherein a manipulation of the levercauses the adjustable portion to move relative to the housing.
 16. Thedevice of claim 12, further comprising an aperture in the housingcommunicating with the cavity, wherein the retention member isadjustable to align a lens of the camera with the aperture.
 17. A systemfor capturing multiple views of an object, comprising: a housing havinga cavity; a slot in the housing communicating with the cavity andadapted to receive the object; a camera having a lens; an aperture inthe housing to enable the lens of the camera to communicate with thecavity; alignment structure on an exterior portion of the housing toalign the lens of the camera with the aperture; a light source; and aplurality of mirrors in the cavity configured to reflect at least threeviews of the object towards the camera, thereby allowing the camera tocapture a single image of the at least three views, which include firstand second side views.
 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the lightsource is in the housing.
 19. The system of claim 17, wherein the lightsource is electroluminous film.
 20. The system of claim 17, wherein thecamera and the light source are in the housing.
 21. The system of claim17, wherein the camera comprises a camera phone.
 22. The system of claim17, wherein the housing further comprises at least one retention memberadapted to couple the camera adjacent the housing.
 23. The system ofclaim 17, wherein the housing comprises the aperture communicating withthe cavity, thereby allowing the lens of the camera to communicate withthe housing when the lens is adjacent the housing.
 24. The system ofclaim 17, further comprising a storage device operative to store thesingle image captured by the camera.
 25. The system of claim 17,wherein: the object is a key; and the at least three views comprise fourviews further comprising the first side view, the second side view, atop view and an end view.
 26. The system of claim 17, wherein thehousing is portable.
 27. The system of claim 21, wherein the cameraphone further comprises a storage device operative to store the singleimage captured by the camera phone.
 28. The system of claim 22, whereinthe retention member is adjustable to align the lens of the camera withthe aperture.
 29. The system of claim 27, further comprising: amanufacturing device; and software communicating with the storage deviceand adapted to transform the single image into data, the data readableby the manufacturing device to reproduce the object.
 30. The system ofclaim 29, wherein the object is a key and the data is useable by themanufacturing device to produce a key blank.
 31. The system of claim 30,further comprising: a second manufacturing device, the data usable bythe second manufacturing device to reproduce the key from the key blank.32. A system for capturing multiple views of an object, comprising: ahousing having a cavity; a slot in the housing communicating with thecavity and adapted to receive the object; an adjustable portioncontaining at least one of the plurality of mirrors and adapted tostabilize the object when the object is directed into the slot; acamera; a light source; and a plurality of mirrors in the housingconfigured to reflect a plurality of views of the object towards thecamera, thereby allowing the camera to capture a single image of theplurality of views, which include first and second side views.
 33. Thesystem of claim 32, wherein the adjustable portion is adjustable by alever to move the slot between a first, open position and a second,closed position.
 34. The system of claim 32, wherein the camera and thelight source are disposed in the housing.
 35. The system of claim 32,wherein the camera comprises a camera phone.
 36. The system of claim 32,wherein the housing further comprises at least one retention memberadapted to couple the camera adjacent the housing.
 37. The system ofclaim 32, wherein the housing comprises an aperture communicating withthe cavity.
 38. The system of claim 32, further comprising a storagedevice operative to store the single image captured by the camera. 39.The system of claim 32, wherein: the adjustable portion comprises afirst plate of glass; and the slot is defined in part by the first plateof glass and a second plate of glass.
 40. The system of claim 32,wherein the object is a key.
 41. The system of claim 33, wherein amanipulation of the lever moves the adjustable portion relative to thehousing.
 42. The system of claim 33, wherein the camera phone furthercomprises a storage device operative to store the single image capturedby the camera phone.
 43. The system of claim 34, further comprising anaperture in the housing communicating with the cavity, wherein theretention member is adjustable to align a lens of the camera with theaperture.
 44. The system of claim 43, further comprising: amanufacturing device; and software communicating with the storage deviceand adapted to transform the single image into data, the data readableby the manufacturing device to reproduce the object.
 45. The system ofclaim 44, wherein the object is a key and the data is useable by themanufacturing device to produce a key blank.
 46. The system of claim 45,further comprising: a second manufacturing device, the data usable bythe second manufacturing device to reproduce the key from the key blank.47. A method of capturing multiple views of an object using a housingcomprising a cavity, the cavity including a plurality of mirrorstherein, the method comprising: aligning a lens of a camera tocommunicate with an aperture in the housing using alignment structurepositioned on an exterior portion of the housing; receiving at least aportion of the object into a slot in the housing communicating with thecavity; reflecting a single image with the plurality of mirrors towardsthe camera communicating with the cavity, the single image comprising atleast three views of the object, which include first and second sideviews; and capturing the single image with the camera.
 48. The method ofclaim 47, further comprising storing the single image.
 49. The method ofclaim 47, wherein the object is a key.
 50. The method of claim 47,wherein the alignment structure of the aligning step further comprisesat least one adjustable retention member positioned on the housing. 51.The method of claim 49, wherein the capturing and storing steps areperformed with a camera phone.
 52. The method of claim 49, furthercomprising: transforming the single image into data representing thesingle image using software; and sending the data to a manufacturingdevice.
 53. The method of claim 49, wherein the object is a key and themethod further comprises: machining a key blank with the data using themanufacturing device.
 54. The method of claim 53, further comprising:machining the key blank to reproduce the key.
 55. The method of claim52, further comprising: sending the data to a second manufacturingdevice; and machining the key blank to reproduce the key with the secondmanufacturing device.
 56. A method of capturing multiple views of anobject using a housing comprising a cavity, the cavity including aplurality of mirrors therein, the method comprising: receiving at leasta portion of the object into a slot communicating with the cavity,wherein the slot is formed at least in part by an adjustable portionthat includes at least one mirror, the slot being adjustable tostabilize the object in the slot; reflecting a single image towards acamera with the plurality of mirrors, the single image comprising aplurality of views of the object, which include first and second sideviews; and capturing the single image with the camera.
 57. The method ofclaim 56, further comprising: providing a member for adjusting the slot,the member configured to be actuated by a user.
 58. The method of claim57, further comprising storing the single image.
 59. The method of claim57, further comprising detachably receiving the camera adjacent anaperture in the housing.
 60. The method of claim 57, wherein the objectis a key.
 61. The method of claim 58, wherein the capturing and storingsteps are performed with a camera phone.
 62. The method of claim 56,wherein the detachably receiving step further comprises: providing aretention member on the housing, the retention member adjustable toalign a lens of the camera with the aperture.
 63. A method ofreproducing a key using a camera phone, comprising: aligning a lens ofthe camera phone to communicate with an aperture in a housing of adevice using alignment structure positioned on an exterior portion ofthe housing; capturing a single image of a plurality of views of thekey, which include first and second side views; transforming the singleimage into data representing the single image using software in thecamera phone; sending the data to first and second machining devices;machining a key blank corresponding with the key using the firstmachining device; and machining the key blank to reproduce a copy of thekey with the second machining device.
 64. A system for reproducing akey, comprising: a housing having a cavity; a slot in the housingcommunicating with the cavity and adapted to receive at least a portionof the key; alignment structure located on an exterior of the housing; aplurality of mirrors in the cavity configured to reflect a plurality ofviews of the object towards an aperture in the housing, a camera phone,further comprising: a camera communicating with the aperture operativeto capture a single image of the plurality of views, which include firstand second side views, a storage device operative to store the singleimage captured by the camera; and software communicating with storagedevice and adapted to transform the single image into data representingthe single image; a first key manufacturing device communicating withthe camera phone to receive the data, the data useable by the first keymanufacturing device to produce a key blank; and a second keymanufacturing device communicating the camera phone to receive the data,the data useable by the second key manufacturing device to produce acopy of the key from the key blank.
 65. The device of claim 1, whereinthe alignment structure further comprises a recessed portion adapted toaccept the camera.
 66. The system of claim 17, wherein the alignmentstructure further comprises a recessed portion adapted to accept thecamera.